All's Well That Ends: Jonah 4

Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” Jonah 4.9

Learning a lesson (a brief recap)-

God called Jonah (1.2)

Jonah went the other way (1.3)

Jonah is thrown into the sea (1.15)

Jonah repented (2.2)

God called Jonah again (3.2)

Jonah went to Ninevah and preached (3.3-4)

The people of Ninevah repented (3.5)

God spared the city and its people (3.10)

Jonah's pride was more important than God's grace...

1. He got angry that God spared the people. v. 1

2. Jonah's anger became bitterness. v. 3

3. He was more concerned about himself than anyone else. v. 5

4. Jonah's priorities got mixed up. v. 10

Heart Check: Is it time that you got over your bitterness?

Take Away Prayer-

Lord, people have hurt me, and I have become bitter. I have hurt people and turned them from you. Heal my bitterness and forgive my insensitivities. Amen.

The Golden Rule for All People: Jonah 3.1-4.1

Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast,

and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. Jonah 3.4-5

1. God's grace is universal. v. 2

Anyone can be saved.

Race, education, economics, family, nationality are immaterial.

2. Love your enemies. vv. 4-5

The love of God should flow from us to others.

We need to stop putting up obstacles to the gospel.

3. God restores sinners. v. 10

He restored you when you were a sinner.

4. You do not have the right to be angry. 4.1

God is in charge.

Your opinion does not matter.

Heart Check: Are you ready to receive the love of God, and share that unconditional love with others?

Take Away Point-

I sometimes think that I am better than others.

I sometimes think that I am better than I am.

Today I commit myself to love all people, all the time.

The Need for God: Jonah 1

Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it;

for their wickedness has come up before Me.

Jonah 1.2

Lessons from Jonah:

1. God doesn't always pick nice people. vv. 1-3

   Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

2. You cannot get away from God. v. 4

   The LORD sent out a great wind on the sea.

3. Do not try to defy God. v. 12

   Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that

   this great tempest is because of me.

4. God shows mercy. vv. 15, 17

   The LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah.

Take Away Prayer-

Lord, remind me that you are in charge, and that you can use me. Conform my desires to your will that I- and others- might receive your mercy. In Jesus' name. Amen.